Game 1 -- Shawnee State 3, Milligan (Tenn.) 0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-21)
 

In Saturday's opener against Milligan, Shawnee State proved to be, even by its successful early season results in 2025, highly crisp throughout its straight-set victory over the Buffaloes.

Despite starting slow and trailing by a 15-7 margin to begin the opening set, the Bears rallied with a massive 15-4 push over the next 19 volleys which begin with a kill from Reagan Lewis, another kill from Camille McIntosh and three service aces by Ava Jenkins in a 5-0 mini-tear to start the run.

The Bears got two additional kills from Lewis, two more spikes from Camille Hall, one kill each from Natalie Reida, Bree Hicks and Katelynn Boerger and a service ace from Reida to make up much of the remaining points during the run -- as Shawnee State turned the 15-7 deficit into a 22-19 lead. Reida finished off the opening set with two attacks that hit the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse floor to help SSU close out the set.

Milligan again jumped out to an early lead in the second frame, taking a 9-6 lead to begin matters at the start, but again, Shawnee State rallied with a monstrous 15-4 run to take a 21-13 lead as Reida turned up the dial again with two kills, two service aces and a block that Reida teamed up with fellow freshman Boerger on to help lead the charge. McIntosh added in two kills and a combined block with Hall while Hicks posted two kills of her own as SSU never looked back.

Down 4-3 to begin the third, and ultimately, final set of the match, Shawnee State ripped off a 14-4 spurt to change the complexion of the third frame as well. Hall and McIntosh combined for five kills while Reida added in two more service aces during the strong stretch of play by the Bears, who never trailed again en route to closing the deal against the Milligan Mountain Madness hosts.

Lewis, who posted 19 assists and nine kills on a .250 attack percentage, ultimately led Shawnee State while freshman Cally Carpenter, who made her first career start, made the effort one to remember as Carpenter tallied 21 assists to go along with nine digs in an impressive debut. Hicks and Hall each posted nine kills apiece, McIntosh added in eight spikes, and Reida ultimately finished with six kills, five digs, two total blocks and an incredible five service aces in the match to round out the efforts from the Shawnee State frontline. Hicks hit .261 while Reida hit .250 on the attack in the match as well.

Megan Steele led the back row with 20 digs from her libero position while Ava Jenkins added in nine dives and an additional four service aces to boot in the Shawnee State win.

Game 2 -- Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) 3, Shawnee State 0 (22-25, 13-25, 13-25)

In the second contest, Reida led Shawnee State with seven kills and two service aces, while Megan Steele posted 16 digs to lead the back row once again.

Shawnee State will play Kentucky Christian, host Rio Grande, Midway, and West Virginia Tech in the Emileigh Jo Cooper Memorial Classic, which will commence Friday, Aug. 29 and run through Saturday, Aug. 30.